Emotional Deprivation Disorder (previously called Deprivation Neurosis or the Frustration Neurosis in Dutch) but changed to comply with the American Psychiatric Association standards) is a disorder characterized by difficulty in forming relationships with others, a general feeling of inadequacy, and an oversensitivity to criticism of others. It was modeled by Conrad Baars and Anna Terruwe, both whom theorize this disorder is brought about by a lack of unconditional love during a person's life. As of January 2006 (the writing of this article), Emotional Deprivation Disorder is not yet included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.

Contents

Discovery

Emotional Deprivation Disorder was formulated by Anna Terruwe after her experience with practicing psychoanalytic therapy. Terruwe was treating a 25-year woman for "intense anxiety" and "an unusually infantile emotional life", whom Terruwe described as highly intelligent. After six months of psychotherapy, the patient said, "Doctor, nothing that you say has any effect on me. For six months I have been sitting here hoping you would take me to your heart… you have been blind to my needs." [1]

This statement led Terruwe to the conclusion that the patient "felt like a child. She needed only one thing—namely, to be treated in a tender, motherly fashion" [2]. Terruwe and her colleague, Conrad Baars, set out to research the effect of lack of tenderness in a person. Primarily, they studied patients who did not respond to psychoanalytic therapy. Their research led to the development of the diagnosis of Emotional Deprivation Disorder. [3]

Sense Impairments

Further Symptoms Found in Some Individuals

Treatment

Baars and Terruwe theorize that treatment for Emotional Deprivation Disorder lies in providing a replacement for the unconditional love one never had in life. They call this process affirmation (which is different from affirmations, statements one repeats to oneself for reassurance). Both believe that because a person is denied nurturing of their childlike state, that person is "frustrated" and cannot grow into a mature adult state until that unconditional love is provided. [20]

The philosophy of affirmation therapy is being "affective" over "effective", or "being" over "doing". Affirmation therapy is not based on techniques for treatment, rather, it involves a person described as mature and affirmed opening up to an unaffirmed person (the patient). It involves the therapist simply being genuinely interested in the patient's life, which will show through the therapist's eye contact and facial expression. [21] Another important aspect of affirmation therapy is patience with the client. Baars and Terruwe believe that through gentle guidance, rather than yelling or verbal pressure, the patient will emotionally mature into an adult at his or her own pace. [22]

Baars and Terruwe believe that through affirmation therapy, the patient will learn to trust another human. In that, the symptoms of Emotional Deprivation Disorder will gradually disappear. [23]